injoyment of and therefore upon their repentance were they by the same way restored unto them again 9. That the denyal of any further Church-priviledge unto such as were Baptized in Infancy and are adult but not Confirmed can be no injury unto them at all for injury in the denyal of a thing to any person presupposeth his lawful title and right thereunto which not being the case of such adult as have nothing to plead for their right unto such priviledges but their Infant-Baptism only the denyal of them gives them no just cause at all to complain of any wrong herein done unto them 10. That all persons baptized and not Excommunicated are not nor ought to be accounted Chruch-Members as to the actual injoyment of further Church-Priviledges For as more then meer Baptism is requisite to the intituling of persons unto such priviledges viz. Confirmation that properly admits them to full Communion and gives them their Proximate right as to the actual injoyment of them So meer Baptism makes not a person a meet object of Excommunication and such a one as may be regularly proceeded against by that censure as the contrary Tenet plainly supposeth Which being the Condition of most persons amongst us at this day I conceive that the leaving of them unto institution by Catechizing and the Ministry of the Word that so they may come to the knowledge of and be acquainted as they ought with the principal doctrines of the Gospel and by this means through the blessing of the Lord their gross ignorance may be removed and also they reclaimed from their loose and profane practises and their lives reformed to the preparing of and making them meet persons for full Communion and the injoyment of the priviledges of compleat members and in the interim to admit and joyn with such only in the administration of the Lords Supper and other Church-Ordinances as shall upon due tryal approve themselves to be such as to whom of right they do belong and are fit to partake of and injoy them This course I say I do conceive would much facilitate the work of reformation among us that hath stuck as it were so long in the birth and been attended with so many insuperable and perplexing difficulties and prove one of the best expedients and readiest wayes to bring us nearer unto the Apostolical pattern and the practise of the Primitive and purest times and so to the injoyment of more peace and unity amongst our selves and to heal our sad divisions which hath been so much desired What that practise was then and therefore what it ought to be now I shall chuse to set down in the words of the Reverend Calvin and Chemnitius with whom herein do agree many other eminent lights of the Reformed Churches viz. Peter Martyr the Divines of Leyden ' Paraeus Rivet Peter du Moulin Didoclavins c. The words of Calvin are these Hic mos olim fuit Instit l. 4. c. 19. §. 4. ut Christianorum liberi post quam adoleverant coram Episcopo sisterentur ut officium illud implerent quod ab iis exigebatur qui se ad Baptismum adulti offerebant Hi enim inter Catechumenos sedebant donec ritè fidei mysteriis instituti poteran fidei confessionem coram Episcopo ac populo edere Qui ergò Baptismo initiati erunt infantes quia fidei confessione apud Ecclesiam tunc defuncti non erant sub finem pueritiae aut ineunte adolescentiâ representabantur iterum a parentibus ab Episcopo examinabantur secundum formulam Catechismi quam tunc habebant certam ac communem Quo autem haec actio quae alioqui gravis Sanctâ—que meritò esse debebat plus reverentiae haberet ac dignitatis ceremonia quoque adhibebatur manuum Impositionis Ita puer ille fide suâ approbatâ cum solenni benedictione dimittebatur This was the custome of old that the children of Christians after they were grown up should be brought before the Bishop that they might perform that duty which was exacted of those that being adult did offer themselves unto Baptism For these did sit among the Catechumens until being duly instructed in the mysteries of the Faith they were able to make confession of the Faith before the Bishop and the people They therefore who while they were infants were Initiated by baptism because then they made no confession of their Faith before the Church about the end of their child-hood or beginning of their youth they were again by their parents presented and examined by the Bishop according to a form of Catechism which then they had certain and common And to the end this action which otherwise ought deservedly to be esteemed grave and holy might have the more reverence and respect the Ceremony also of Imposition of hands was added to it So that youth his faith being approved of was dismissed with solemn Benediction Chemnitius a little more largely acquaints us herewith in these words following Nostri saepè ostenderunt ritum Confirmationis remotis inutilibus superstitiosis ac cum Scripturâ pugnantibus traditionibus piè ad Ecclesiae aedificationem juxtà Scripturae consensum hoc modo posse usurpari ut scilicet illi qui in infantiâ baptizati sunt talis enim nunc est Ecclesiae status cum ad annos discretionis pervenissent diligenter in certâ simplici Catechesi Doctrinae Ecclesiae instituerentur Et cum initia mediocriter percepisse viderentur posteà Episcopo Ecclesiae offerentur atque ibi puer in infantiâ Baptizatus 1o. Brevi simplici commonè factione admoneretur de suo Baptismo quo scilicet sit baptizatus quomodo quare in quid sit Baptizatus quid inillo Baptismo tota Trinitas ipsi contulerit obsignarit foedus scilicet pacis pactum gratiae quomodo ibi facta sit ab renunciatio sathanae professio fidei promissio obedientiae 2o. Puer ipse coram Ecclesiâ ederet propriam publicam professionem hujus doctrinae fidei 3o. Interregaretur de praecipuis Christianae religionis capitibus ad singula responderet aut si quid minùs intelligeret rectiùs erudiretur 4o. Admoneretur hac professione ostenderet se dissentire ab omnibus ethnicis haereticis phaenaticis prophanis Opinionibus 5o. Adderetur gravis seria exhortatio ex verbo Dei ut in pacto Baptismi in illâ doctrinâ fide perseveraret proficiendo proinde confirmaretur 6o. Fieret publica precatio pro illis pueris ut Deus Spiritu suo sancto illos in hac professione gubernare conservare confirmare dignaretur Ad quam precationem sine superstitione ad biberi posset impositio manuum nec inanis esset ea precatio nititur enim promissionibus de dono perseverantiae gratiâ confirmationis Talis ritus Confirmationis valdè multùm utilitatis ad aedificationem juventutis totius Ecclesiae conferret esset enim consentaneus Scripturae puriori
Craft without fraud with what Pompe without pride with what Learning without ostentation with what Brevity without obscurity In a word with how sweet a Religious ingenuity and to what noble ends he hath laid managed and finisht this admirable plot you will best perceive by the view and perusal of it and though my opinion be of very little signification yet I cannot forbear to say That as to the substance and main of the design I judge it to be of so considerable an importance that I do not see how it can be neglected without a very great prejudice to Church-Communion to say no more Haply some may be so nice as to be offended with the name and dislike Confirmation for fear of Bishoping as if that old fashiond-garment had but a peece of new-nam'd cloth put to it and drest up in another mode if it were so can no good come out of Nazareth Bonus odor veritatis ex re qualibet But if any are under such a fear I think I may assure them that they are more afraid than hurt yea afraid where no fear is as they will quickly find if they but please to come and see As for you Noble Bereans I shall detain you no longer but to pray you that according to your wonted gentlenesse and Ingenuity you would consider of what is said and to search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so Now the God of truth give us a right understanding of all truth that we may Know and believe love and live the truth as it is in and from Jesus who is the way the truth and the life Vincat veritas let truth go on conquering and to conquer which is the hearty praier of the Authors much obliged and ambitious to be his and every mans humble Servant in the service of Christ Jesus our Lord who died for our Sins and Rose again for our Justification RALPH VENNING The Contents to be Prefixt 1. THe several acceptations of Imposition of hands p. 2 2 The condition of Catechumens p. 8 3 The several steps whereby they proceeded unto full Membership p. 11. ad 23 4 How Confirmation did perfect Chuch-membership p. 16 5 Infant Baptized completed by Confirmation p. 23 6 Confirmation proved 1 By Scripture p. 27 2 By testimony of the Fathers p. 31 3 By Councils p. 35 4 By the judgment and practice of the Waldenses p. 37 5 By the judgment of the Reformed Divines p. 40 7 Romish corruptions in Confirmation enumerated and removed p. 43 8 Ten inferences drawn from the premises p. 52 9 The manner how Confirmation is to be used p. 62 10 The duties of ministers for the recovery of Confirmation p. 69. where 1 The duty of Catechizing is handled as to the matter and manner of its performance p. 74 2 Directions are set down by way of quere for the practice of Confirmation p. 93 11 The duty of people in order to the facilitating of this work p. 100 where 1 Some objections against this course are answered p. 103 2 The duties of parents and masters of families are set down p. 117 12 Encouragements to this duty drawn 1 From the benefit that will hence ensue 1 To Ministers p. 129 2 To domestick governours p. 134 3 To the persons confirmed p. 141 4 To the Church p. 148 5 To the ignorant and profane p. 156 2 From the glory that will hence redound to God p. 160 A. ABrahams trained or Catechized ones 119 Advantages of superiours in families 117 Adult persons to be upon their own account 25 Adult must be active in Ordinances 26 Adult baptized liable to personal service 55 56 Aggravation of sin 144 Altare Damascenum 105 Apostles Creed why so called 78 Apostles creed as now when finished 80 Areopagitae encomium 33 Assemblies Catechism 82 Auditors who and why so called 12 Augustines Rule 32 Authority to be in a Catechist 90 B. Badge of Christians 151 Basis of Christianity 77 Baptismatum dies 12 Baptism alone gives not right to the Lords Supper 54 Baptizati illuminati initiati iidem 13 Baptized and not Excommunicated are not full Church-members 61 Beauty of the Church wherein 69 C. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quid significat 118 Care of preserving the honour of Ordinances 155 Cassander 31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 86 Catecheâ—ical heads 81 Catechists and Catechumenium 11 Catechists office of great use 74 Catechists cald fathers 92 Catechizing necessary 76 Catechizing necessary to Reformation 92 Catechizing an help to hearing the Word 92 Catechumens of the Church 8 Catechumens instructed 11 Catechumens of 2 sorts 8 Catechumens the second sort 23 Cavil of Anabaptists removed 156 Ceremonies observed about Baptism 21 Charge of parents 139 Children of believers how in Covenant 52 Children and servants domestick catechumens 119 Christians incomplete 15 Chrysme an imitation of Jewish unction 15 Chrysm hath no ground in Scripture 16 Chrysme how it perfected baptism 16 Chrysostom's judgment 133 Church-membership of a magnetical nature 147 Circumspection necessary 115 Clinici who they were 34 Commonness breeds contempt 154 Common faith Tit. 1.4 78 Competentes who and why so called 12 Competentes gave up their names 12 Communion between Christians 150 Concealed ignorance dangerous 110 Confession of Gods name gives him his praise 160 Confession of faith necessary in 2 cases 160 Confirmation what 22 Confirmation grounded on Heb. 6.2 27 Confirmation an appendix to baptism 27 Confirmation originally from the Apostles 29 Confirmation transmitted persons to higher rank 30 Confirmation still practised in the Church 31 Confirmation proved by the Fathers 33 Confirmation proved by Councils 35 Confirmation commended 42 Confirmation properly no Sacrament 44 Confirmation why cald a Sacrament 44 Confirmation purged and restored 51 Confirmation no novelty 71 Confirmation a weighty thing 73 Confirmation to be performed in the Church 97 Confirmation necessary in all how 107 Confirmation a mean to holiness 144 Confirmed only admitted to the Eucharist 21 Confirmed have cause to praise the Lord 165 Consent in adult requisite to full membership 57 Corruptions in Confirmation 43 Course best to bring things right 62 Cyrils Lectures 75 Cyrus his Exhortation 127 D. Danger of admitting unworthy to the Lords Supper 101 Darkness occasioned the Churches injury 71 Declaration of admission 99 Dedication of our selves to God 163 Deep Mysteries 83 Dâ—erings judgment of Confirmation 30 Defects in Confirmation to be supplied 67 Denyal of priviledges to non-confirmed no injury 61 Deut. 6.7 expounded 85 Difference between Cyprian and Stephen 6 Difference to be put between persons 134 Discharge of parents 139 Discipline domestick necessary 124 Disorders in discipline 105 Dissatisfaction breeds distance 151 Drawing how spoken of God 69 Duties of Parents and Masters 117 E Education of children necessary 74 Eli's sin 123 Engaging of great force 145 Englands excellency 104 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 23 Equality in Fundamentals 77 Evil of opposing reformation 106 Evil of admitting the ignorant 108 Evil of wilful ignorance 110 Eulogiae
what 9 Eucharist why called the Communion 23 Examples of parents care in instructing 120 Excellency of the Scriptures 113 Excommunication respects the confirmed only 60 Exemplary conversation in Governors 116 F Faith and love the sum of Christianity 116 Familiarity in Catechizing 86 Fidelis who 23 Folly of â—iding ignorance 111 Force of examples good and bad 126 Free admittance to the confirmed 138 Frequency in catechizing 84 Fruit of discipline 124 Fruit of good education 143 Fruits of love 148 Fundamental truths to be taught 76 Fundamental truths few 79 Gen. 14.14 Expounded 119 Gods goodness to England 103 Gods presence efficacious 153 Gods goings in soules matter of his praise 165 Gospel preached here from the beginning 103 in Tiberius reign 104 Governours ought to further the fruit of ordinances 122 Governors to watch over the conversations of their family 124 Gravity to be in a catechist 90 Ground of profaneness among us 106 Ground of Christian love 151 H. Harmony in the exercise of confirmation 93 Heb. 6.2 Expounded 27 Heb. 12.2 Expounded 149 Hierom. Expounded 34 Hieroms condenscension 87 Hieroms counsel 118 Holiness of life requisite to confirmation 96.116 wherein it consisteth 96 Holiness press't upon the catechumens 116 Holiness fits Gods house 153 Honour of the Church 154 I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Corripere Erudire 91 Jehovah Shammah 152 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 23 Ignorant and scandalous to be debard from communion 132 Ignorant aged to be dealt with as children 107 Imposition of hands the several kinds of it 2 Imposition of hands the way of reconciling penitents 6 Imposition of hands the gesture of prayer 2 Imposition of hands commendable 97 At first the only Rite in confirmation 98 Imposition of hands in different 98 Infanâ— confirmation a popish errour 46 Infant baptized and adult 2. distinct classes 54 Instances of debarring from communion 132 Instruction the duty of domestick governours 118 Joy of faithful ministers 130 Junilius 89 K Knowledg of fundamentals sufficient 94 Knowledg necessary to holiness 110 L Lâ—cedemonian law 125 Love the bond of christians 150 M Matter of the catechisme 76 Means ineffectual without a blessing 114 Method of catechisme 81 Mildness to be in a catechist 91 Milk for babes 77 Ministers to know the state of the people 129 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 17 Mysteries of the sacraments concealed from catechumens 13 why so 14 N Names given in to be recorded 100 Near relation and affection between church-members 147 Noahs seven precepts 10 None to be exempted from profession 95 O Obligation of the confirmed 144 Obstruction of the reformation whence 102 Original sin 135 Oversight of the first reformers 105 P 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 91 Parents care for frequenting ordinances 121 Parisiensis complaint 47 Passeover chief among the Jews 25 Pastors care 76 Pastors office 129 Penitents how reconciled 6 why by imposition of hands 60 Peoples preparedness an help to reformation 68 People to be convinâ—'t of their duty 69 1 Pet. 3.15 Expounded 162 Persons ought to offer themselves to confirmation 59 Popish chrysme in confirmation 44 Popish form of confirmation 45 Popish administrator in confirmation 45 Popish ceremonies in confirmation 49 Popish end of confirmation 48 Prayer obtains wisdom 114 Praise the way of glorifying God 164 Pride restrain'd confirmation to bishops 46.51 Private instruction usefull 76 Priviledg of beleevers children 24 Priviledg of the confirmed 93 Priviledg of christian parents 137 Priviledg of christian children 142 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Profane are to be kept or cast out 97 Profession of faith necessary 94 Profession of faith to be publick 95 Profession without practice vain 115 Proselyâ—â— portae among the Jews 10 Purity the churches beauty 152 Q Qualification for church-members 48 Qualification of a catechist 74 Question and answer catechetical form 88 R Ready reception the peoples duty 72 Real conviction efficacious 158 Recovery of confirmation our duty 71 Reformation received here soon 104 Refusal of reformation no small sin 107 Refusers of instruction uncapable of communion 102 Register useful 99 Religious children a joy to parents 135 Religious servants a joy to their masters 136 Reproofs by catechists necessary 91 S Sanctifying the sabbath charged on governours 121 Satisfaction to ministers by confirmation 131 Satisfaction from persons requisite 152 Seal of the Lord 19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who they were 11 Seeking after knowledg a great duty 112 Self-conceit dangerous 157 Semblance of confirmation in the reformed churches 41 Shame a mean to personal reformation 158 Solemn engagements 146 Steps to full membership 5. 11 Study of the scriptures the way to wisdom 113 Submission to confirmation peoples duty 100 Sum of fundamentals 79 Symbolum magnum 80 Sions enlargement her childrens joy 148 T 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 23 Thankfulness to God due from the confirmed 141 2 Thes 3.14 Expounded 159 U Unction in baptisme 2. fold 7 Unction a Sacrament in a large sense 19 Unworthy not to be admitted to the Lords supper 101 Unworthy to be excluded from communion 154 W. Waiting at wisdoms gate the way to knowledg 112 Woldenses testimony for confirmation 37 Word a perfect rule 70 ERRATA In M. Hughes Epistle p. 1. l. 22. for watching r walking In M. Baxters Epistle p. 1. l. 4. for printed r. perceived Pag. 13 adumbrare read adumbratè p. 14. there r. these p. 15. perfectus r. perfectes p. 20. assecultus r. assecutus p. 21. nequa r neque p. 21. data r data est p. 22. referter r refertur p. 28 positions r expositions p. 30 Scrinian r Scrinia p. 33. Ridus r Fidus p. 34. invise renter r inviserentur p. 24. to be lamented quodque r quoque p. 37. opara r. opera p. 39. reputatem r reputatum p. 44 to testifie r. do testifie p. 48. multi r multo p. 48 quam r quum p. 58. by the Lord r for the Lord p. 77. pâ—â—cht r pitcht upon p. 81. fittest r fit Test p. 82 lost r was lost p. 89 instructed r intrusted p. 108 add be p. 110 imports r in part p. 12â— libris r liberis p. 131 puor r pudor p. 132 vouchsafed r vouched p. 144. how r how much Confirmatio Rediviva OR An EXERCITATION UPON CONFIRMATION SEeing that Confirmation the subject of this following discourse fals and is comprehended under one acception of Imposition of hands and in that sense as the words are Synonimous so is the thing signified by both the same being called Confirmation from the Effect and end and Imposition of hands from the Rite and gesture therein used and observed whence it comes to passe that in the writings of the Ancients the same thing is expressed and often to be understood by both these Terms I think it requisite to premise a few things briefly concerning the Nature and Use or End of this Ceremony Imposition of hands was Simplicissimus ritus a most Simple rite made use of under both the Old and New Testament
washed in heart The Catechist did call upon and earnestly exhort them to Duty as well as instruct them in Doctrine as appears in the Catechetical Lectures of Cyrill of Jerusalem and also by Augustines Sermon ad Competentes wherein dehorting them from several vices he closeth with these words Serm. 116. Competentes nihil injustum nihil inhonestum exerceant ne fortè male agendo viscera materna concutiant ante legitimum partum velut aborsum eos mater sancta proijciat Sed magis omnes benigni sint humiles mansueti sobrii ut ad salutaris Baptismi Sacramentum ordine ligitimo conveniant The Competentes should exercise or do nothing that is unjust or dishonest least haply by ill-doing or mis-behaving themselves they trouble the bowels of their Mother and cause her before the time to cast them forth as abortive They should rather be kind humble meek sober that they may come in a due and orderly manner unto the Sacrament of saving Baptism You may see from hence how much it stands you upon to look carefully unto your lives and to labour so to demean your selves that when you offer your selves unto Confirmation there may be nothing found justly to be objected against you that might exclude you from admission to full membership and the injoyment of the singular priviledges of such which if there should would be no small Detriment unto you 4. There are other duties in order hereunto that are peculiar unto some persons viz. such as have the care and charge of others committed unto them which is the case of Parents and Masters of families in respect of their children and servants who may very much and therefore ought to facilitate and further the work of fitting them for confirmation There advantages are many through familiarity and continual converse with them and the power and authority which the Lord hath given them over those that are under them who are injoyned to honour and yeild obedience to them these are therefore as talents carefully to be improved and this way especially as being the chief end for which they are bestowed Their duty is therefore Plurimum enim intererit quibus artibus quibus hos tu moribus instituas Juvenal Satyr 14. Quo semel est imbuta recens c. Difficulter cradic atur quod rudes animâ— perbiberunt Hierony Epist 7. 1. To instruct them diligently in the principles of Religion They ought to be Catech sts in their own families to whom this work belongs as well as to the Pastor being common to both in their several capacities and indeed the fidelity of the one may very much ease and lighten the burden of the other The Scriptures are frequent in pressing this duty upon them These words saith Mises which I * Deut. 6.6 7 command thee shall be in thine heart and thou shalt diligently teach them unto or whet them upon thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way when thou lest down and whin thou risest up Children saith Ainsworth upon this Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Initiare Cartwright in loc are to be Catechized Solomon also Train up a child saith he in the way wherein he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Scopus est parentes ad piam liberorum institutionem excitare His scope is to stir up parents to the pious institution of their children The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leigh Crit. Sdc. Hinc apud Doctores 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est Catechesis Carechismus Pagnin the saurus when ti 's spoken of men signifieth to Catechise i. e. Prima elementa inquit Lavaterus Religionis tradere To deliver to them the first rudiments of Religion Again Ye fathers saith the Apostle Paul bring up your children in the nurture and adminition of the Lord. This as is conceived Ephes 6.4 is the thing commended in Abraham Geu 18 19 and his practice herein recommended unto us I know saith the Lord that Abraham will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment Dicit Deus inquit Paraeus non modò quid sit facturus Abraham sed potiùs quid facere debeat God saith here not only what Abraham would but rather what he should and ought to do Whence he observes That parenrs were then and ought in this regard to be so now the Pastours and teachers of their families liberi domestici ingnit erant Catechumeni The children and rest of the houshold were the Catechumens and the heads of the Catechisme comprehended in that expression the way of the Lord were Fides Obedientia Faith and Obedience And may not Abrahams servants with whom he rescued his brother Lot Gen. 14.14 Pagnin interlvers be for this cause termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his trained servants so our translation renders it Initiatos suos his instructed ones i. e. Catechumenos suos his Catechumens or Catechized ones such as having been born in his house Pagnin thesau 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 70 Instructos suos Buxrorf he had religiously edncated The word saith Ainsworth may be understood both of civil affairs and Religion Pellican in l. Iâ—â—is Exposit of the Moâ—al Law Command 5. exercit 5. wherein he had trained them Quos instituebat moribus usu rerum temporalium peritos arte bellandi alioqui etiam Religioni consecratos Thus also Mr. Weemes expounds this place his Catechized ones It is also observable that God saith not concerning Abraham I know that he will teach but command them Paraeus in loc implying that parents ought to perform this duty with authority which thing is intimated in the holy resolution of Joshua As for me saith he and my house we will serve the Lord. And that this hath been the practise of Godly parents is evident from the Scriptures Thus did David carefully instruct his son Solomon as he acknowledgeth I was saith he Prov. 4.3 4. my fathers son tender and dearly beloved he taught me c. So did his mother Bathsheba also as appears Prov. 31.1 The words of King Lemuel no doubt saith Mr. Wilcox but this was Solomon the Prophecy that his mother taught hlm Cartwr in loc Nempe à teneris annis quòd blanda Lemuelis appellatio quales matribuserga liberos adhuc tenellos usitatae sunt â—stendit From his tender years which the pretty alluring appellation of Lâ—muâ—l such as are usual with mothers toward their children while tender and yong doth shew Religious education is the best character of paternal affection Such also was the pious care of the godly parents of â—â—mothy 2 Tim. 3.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab ubâ—â—â— u. pendens a sucking child Leigh Espencaeus in loc by whose means it came to passe that from a child he had known the holy Scriptures Gremium
all the priviledges of it with themselves an honourable condition and of greatest advantage because so in respect of things of greatest concernment viz. Such as makes most for the promoting of the spiritual and eternal welfare of their precious souls in the preparing and fitting of them for this excellent state they having been happy instruments through the blessing of the Lord upon their pious endeavours 1 Cor. 12 2◠And if as saith the Apostle when one member is honoured all the members rejoyce with it Surely their super-added relation to them and instrumentality in the honour must needs not a little augment the joy It is the choice priviledge of Christian parents that not only themselves but their children also with them are comprehended within Gods gracious Covenant being owned of him for his and having a right unto the initiatory Seal the consideration whereof administers greater matter of comfort unto them then the intituling of them to the fairest outward patrimony and inheritance How much greater joy then must it needs occasion in them when they shall behold the Covenant so far made good their children now owning the Lord for their and personally and actually taking hold of his Covenant giving up themselves unto him and so ratifying by their own act what their parents had done in their behalf at the time when they dedicated them upto the Lord in their baptisme They were before as children in their minority though an holy seed and heirs of the same promise with their parents yet little differing from the other sort of Catechumens among whom they were ranked being fed with the milk of the principles of the Doctrine of Christ and not admitted to the higher injoyments of those of perfect age But now the door is open for them and free entrance is afforded them unto the participation of the daintiest provisions of Gods house They are now brought into the Wine-cellar and Banquetting-house to sit down at the Table there to eat and drink abundantly of the wine upon the Lees well refined and of the fat things full of Marrow wherewith the feast to which as guests they are invited is plentifully furnished In a word the Churches store is now unlocked unto them whereof they may freely take their fill it belonging to them as well as to the rest of her grown children And is not here matter of great joy to such as have so near relation unto them 3. To see themselves now discharged by the Church of that obligation which was laid upon them at the time of their childrens baptism when having given them up unto the Lord they received them again under a serious and solemn ingagement to take care of them as his to train them up in his knowledge and fear and so to return them unto the Church as persons fitted and prepared for their masters service What was the duty and work of the Susceptors or undertakers of old in reference to such as being adult desired Baptism and to give up their names to Christ to whom they committed themselves as unto parents and masters to take the care of and ingage for them unto the Church the same was and still is the duty incumbent upon Christian parents in reference to their children that were baptized in their infancy Qui brobè intelligentes Qui coelestium munerum Sacro fuerit desiderio captus accedit ad aliquem ex sidelium numero precaturque tum ut se ad Pontificem adducat tum ut reliquae suscipiat curam cuise tanquam parenti magistro totos addicebant Hyper. ibid ex Dionys Areopsgit inquit Hyperius in Opusc cap. de Cateches Speaking of the Susceptors in the behalf of adult ones quantoperè sint Deo Ecclesiae pro fide alterius nomine datâ obstricti non abs re crebrò instabunt quo istud fiat utpete qui animadvertunt non priùs sponsione semel factâ se posse liberari quà m hi quos ex sacro fonte snsceperunt pro se ipsi abrenunciare diabelo pompis ejus fidem de Deo Patre filio Jesu Christo Spiritu sancto confiteri denique obedientiam fidei coram Deo Ecclesiâ universâ promittere valeant Who well understanding how much they stand bound to God and the Church for their faith given in the name of another will not without cause be often instant that that viz. for which they stand ingaged may be done as considering that they cannot be freed from their promise once made till those for whom they did undertake in Baptism can themselves in their own behalf renounce the divel and his pomps confess their Faith in God the Father Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit finally till they promise the obedience of faith before God and the whole Church A like course to this was taken by the Jews as Buxtorfe tels us in the behalf of their circumcised children In Synag cap. 3 whom they begin to teach some select places of Scripture as soon as they are able to speak and so proceeding on by degrees At thirteen years of age he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filius praecepti the son of the precept and then was he to receive the passover as saith Mr. Weemes then also he ought to observe the six hundred thirteen precepts Synag l. 1. c. 5. §. 5. Parag. 1. which comprehend in them the sum of the Mosaical Law and Jewish Religion and then is he accounted guilty and lyable to punishment both divine and humane if he do transgress them whereas before his faults were imputed to his father of whom the punishment was exacted But being thirteen compleat the father cals ten Jews to witness saying That his son is now of age hath been instructed in the precepts well learned their customs and can recite readily the benedictions and daily prayers c. Proinde se liberum perrò immunem esse velle filiique peccata a se excutere Therefore that he is willing to be henceforth free and to shake of the sins off his son after which done he concludes with prayer wherein Deo gratias agit singulares quòd filii sui poenà liberatus sit Deo supplex petit ut filius suus in longos annos bonaque opera adolescat He renders special thanks to God that he is freed from his sons punishment humbly beseecheth him that his son may grow up into many years and good works As therefore the burden being great was taken on with holy fear so the work being accomplished it will certainly be laid down with joy and many thanksgivings returned unto the Lord that through his graciousassistance hath enabled them comfortably to undergo it and in some measure to discharge their duty herein withall hath by his blesing made their labours successful whereof they have now an ample testimony in the publick solemn profession of their faith made by their children before the Church to whom they
Disputations about Right to Sacraments at large The case is easie Sincerity we know not certainly in others Profession with seeming seriousnes and understanding is undoubtedly the sign by which we must judge of it He that Professeth true Faith Repentance Love and Resolution for a Holy life doth professe Regeneration and no lower profession must serve the turn Object But this will bring up an affected formal shew of Holiness when men are thus tempted to make a profession of it before the experience of it on their souls do constrain them Answ 1. Some accidental evils will follow the noblest and most necessary duty but the good that follows wil incomparably weigh down that evil 2. And do you think that this formal shew of Holiness is not a better condition at least as to others and the prosperity of the Gospel then to have men despisers and persecuters of Holinesse When Holinesse is under a general reputation and owned by all O what an attractive it is to the minds of the ignorant and how faire are they for a true conversion But when it is the common scorn what danger are they in by examples and discouragements The Church is at the best when there are most Hypocrites for when there are most Hypocrites there are also most true Christians Hypocrites may be miserable themselves but they may much help the Church when Hereticks prophane men and persecuters much hinder it Object But this Confirmation will grow in time but to a Ceremony Carelesse Ministers will Confirm any body and huddle it up as the Bishops did with the Boyes Confirming an hundred in half an hour whom they never spake a word to nor saw before Answ All Ordinances will be used as the persons be that use them Bad men will abuse them godly serious Ministers will do otherwise And if this should move us to lay them quite by it may move us also to do so by Sacraments and other Ordinances which the careless will use carelessely Two passages in this Book I suspect some will stumble at One is making the Catechumens to be a sort of Church-Members But this is easily decided 1. The Catechumeni strictly so called that are unbaptized Are 1. Some of them true believers and these are therefore Members of the Church as invisible 2. Some of them do Professe true Faith and Repentance openly though the Pastors have yet delayed their Baptism These are Members of the Visible Church as a King not yet Crowned as a Souldier not yet Listed though Verbally Contracted as married persons contracted but not solemnly married have their relations They are incompletely Visible Members 3. The same persons when Baptized are Completely Visible Members 4. But some of the Catechumeni are only yet learning what Christianity is and do not yet know it or at least consent to it or discover this consent though they are willing to be instructed And these are not Members of the Church but in the way to it being under that first teaching that makes Disciples and not under that second to observe all things commanded proper to Disciples 2. And as for the Catechumens more largly so called that is such children as were baptised they are Infant-Church-Members till they are Adult and then their Membership ceaseth if they add not the Profession of personal Faith The other passage is That pag. 60. the Confirmed only are made the Object of Excommunication But undoubtedly the Reverend Author there means not those only that are solemnly confirmed by Imposition of hands but any that have openly owned their Baptismal Covenant and have been thereupon admitted into the Communion of the Adult I conclude with this earnest request to all the godly Ministers of these Nations that they would take this matter into their serious consideration whether God do not offer you by the hand of this Reverend Brother the very Key that must let us into Unity and Reformation and whether â—t be not for want of the right Key that we have stood wrangling and groping so long at the door Pass not this over with a bare reading but Assemble together and consult whether this be the way of God or not If you are unsatisfied desire the Author to confirm his Doctrine of Confirmation and answer your Objections If you see it to be the way in the Name of God let us be true to God the Church the Truth and our selves and presently all agree upon the practice If we will not it will be said by this age and posterity That it was the idlenesse or unfaithfulnesse or contentiousnesse of Ministers that undid England But if we will be unanimously up and doing God will be with us and we have reason to expect most blessed effects and I doubt not but England will find cause in the fruits of our labours to praise God for the endeavours of this Reverend Author These are the perswasions of Your unworthy fellow-servant RICH. BAXTER Aug. 21.1657 TO THE Berean READERS TRuth is so pretious a thing especially that which refers to our information for the better regulating of our affairs to the glory of God that both it and the feet of them that bring it should be beautiful in our eys and welcome to us Many truths of this concernment if not of their own nature for that of godlinesse as appears by the many controversies about it is without controversie a great Mystery Yet either by reason of our dim-sightedness being not able to see afar off nor to penetrate into the depth and bottome of them or by reason of the abusive traditions and corrupt glosses with which for many ages they have been clouded and overcast both which do exceedingly hinder our understanding of them I say upon these and such like accounts many truths seem not to be so clear but that they still need a further clearing Among others such as relate to Church Discipline and order have for a long time been under debate and not without some considerable advantage though I humbly conceive we have not attained so far as to be already perfect It remains therefore that we would press forward and not be so passionately fond of our own prepossest conceptions as not to have the patience to consider what may be offered to us especially by such as are well-wishers to Sion and desirous to see the Gospel-Temple in its beauty If any persons are spirited to search after further Knowledg in these affairs to dig for it as for hid treasure and when they have found a vein of golden Ore to refine and stamp it for us we should be in readiness to receive the truth in the Love of it and to pay it the tribute and homage of obedience for the sake of the God of truth whose image and superscription it bears What great and profitable pains my much honoured Friend the Reverend Author of the ensuing Exercitation hath taken in this one particular presented to consideration and with what Curiousnesse without curiosity with what as the Apostle
maternum huic prima fuit Schola Sacrarum literarum his mothers lap was his first School Nec magis inejus sinu quà m Sermone educatus he suckt in not only milk from her brests but also the principles of religion from her mouth And this is that for which the children of the virtuous woman are said to call her Blessed viz. Prov. 31 28 Cartwright Propter educationem virtutem pietatem per educationem procuratam For their education and virtue and piety procured by it This duty then you see is injoyned and belongs unto parents Neither may they think to shift it off from themselves by saying It 's the Ministers Office to do it for it 's theirs also as well as his nor will his doing his part free them from the obligation that lyes upon them 2. Their duty is to require and see to it that those under their charge do diligently frequent and carefully attend upon the publick Ordinances of Catechizing and the preaching of the Word especially upon the Lords day the due sanctification whereof both by themselves and theirs is charged upon them Exod. 10.10 Zanch. in 4 praecept Datur praeceptum hoc imprimis cuique patrifamilias this precept is given in the first place to every father of a family as those that should require the same to be observed by the whole family Again Vult Deus ut patresfamilias authores sint toti familiae duces ut veniant in caetum fidelium c. Ibid. The Lord would have the Governours of families to be procurers and leaders to the whole family to come unto the assembly of the faithful to sanctifie the Holy-day c. Every governour of a family saith he may and ought to compel them of his houshold to the outward worship of God Officium est inquit Bullingerus boni patris-familias curare ut tota familia Sabbathum sanctificet Decad. 2. Ser. 4. It is the duty of a good Governour of a family to take care that the whole family do sanctifie the Sabbath Such persons therefore may not think it sufficient to sanctifie the Lords day and to attend upon the publ ck Ordinances themselves but they are to look well unto those under their charge that the fame be done by them also whose profanation and neglect of the duties thereof may be laid to the charge of those that might and should have prevented it but did not being regardlesse of them Nor should they content themselves with this only that those belonging to them do attend upon the Ordinances but they are also to labour that they do it to good purpose least by the carelesse and customary performance of their duty God be dishonoured and their own souls injured and hazarded no lesse then by the omission of it They ought therefore to call upon them for and require from them an account of the things that they have heard and help them to the fuller understanding of them that so through the blessing of the Lord they may attain the end of what they do and their labour may not be in vain 3. Their duty is to watch and have a vigilent eye over them in respect of their conversation to prevent miscarriages and to quicken them to their duty The care of governours in this particular is of very great consequence without which things will certainly go amiss and many disorders will follow in the family What Solomon saith of a King and other magistrates in the Common-wealth may not unholy be applyed to our purpose every father being in some sort a magistrate as it were in his own family A King that sitteth in the Throne of Judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes i.e. Curâ inspectione coercet malos Lavater By their care and inspection they lay a restraint upon those that are evil so that they are not so bad as they would be nor take that liberty to sin that otherwise they would do The neglect hereof seems to be a part of good Elies fault and this in likelyhood imports the cause why the sins of his sons were so great he kept not so strict a hand over them and their actions as he should have done but was too indulgent toward them Those words of his in dealing with and reproving them seem to imply so much Why 1 Sam. 2.23 24. faith he do you such things for I hear of your evil dealings by this people nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear ye make the Lords people to transgress So here the good man knows little but by hear-say and what the common rumour and complaint of the people brings to his ears Sic dicunt inquit sic ad me perfetur q. d. Si vera sirt quae audio gravitur peccatis P. Martyr in l. So they say this is brought to me if the things be true which I hear ye sin grievously The contrary carriage is commended in Solomons virtuous woman Pro. 3.27 Carswright she looketh well to the wayes of her houshold Lustrat mores universae familiae diligens haec inspectio non solù nec praecipuè opera domesticae respicit verum etiam quomodo se in cultu Divino gerunt quales in piâ—tate progressus faciant diligenter observat This diligent inspection respects not only nor chiefly the houshold-imployments but she also diligently observes how they behave themselves in the worship of God and what progresse they make in piety Lavater Considerat quibus moribus singuli sint praediti quid dicant quid faciant ne turpe quid committant She considers what the manners of each one are what they say what they do that no unseemly thing be committed by them Thus though eye-service be not good yet is there need and accordingly ought there to be a watchful eye over them that children and servants be not evil 4. This Inspection ought to be accompanied with the discreet exercise of Discipline without which what we see to be amiss may be far enough from being amended Haec duo quasi elements sunt virtutis Spes honoris metus poenae quorum illa incitstiores reddit ad pulcherrima studia haec segniores ad vitia Plutarch de lib. educand Such as need reproof and correction must have it and those that deserve countenance and encouragement should not want it the evil are to be timely checkt and curbed and the good cherished and commended And these two being rightly managed will by the blessing of the Lord be found to be notable means to restrain vice and promote virtue Fond affection may prompt parents to with-hold but true love will bid them to make use of the rod when there is cause for nothing more endangers the disobedient then indulgence Hence the Scriptures do so much urge the use of discipline thus speaking He that spareth the rod hateth his son Prov. 13.26 but he that loveth him chastneth him betimes Because there is folly bound
stood ingaged for them and the satisfactory account given of their conversations And thus the comfort to godly parents from hence cannot but be very great 3. No less benefit will hence redound unto the persons themselves that are confirmed For 1. It cannot but much affect their hearts with love thankfulness unto the Lord that so much care hath been taken of them in their minority that he hath been pleas'd to second with his blessing the pains of those under whose charge they have been in their pious education now vouchsafes to bestow upon them so great such choice priviledges It is no small mercy to be born within the bosom of the Church to descend from such parents are as members of the same The Question being propounded Rom. 3.1 2 What advantage hath the Jew and what profit is there of Circumcision 'T is answered Phil. 3.5 Much every way to come of the stock of Israel to be an Hebrew of the Hebrews when it is not made the matter of our glorying nor proves an impediment being refted in to keep us from Christ because to them pertaineth the Adoption Rom. 9.4 and the Glory and the Covenant and the Promises Which are applicable to the children of Christian parents under the Gospel who are therefore to look upon them as the Lords and enjoyned to take care of them accordingly Now for children in that dangerous and unhappy age of their childhood and youth wherein they were apt through their head strong lusts so many wayes to miscarry to be under such tutors and governours as had alwayes a watchful eye over them ready to check their folly and wanton humours as soon as they began to discover themselves and to nip those shrewd weeds in the very bud who were also ever and anon instilling wholesome principles and holy precepts into them therewithal to season the vessel of their tender hearts and were moreover patterns and examples to them in their conversations of the things they taught them what abundant cause will they have to blesse the Lord for such parents and for making their endeavours for their spiritual good so successeful as now in an especial manner appears when they come to reap such excellent and blessed fruit of all With how grateful acknowledgment doth Solomon make mention of the admirable industry of his religious parents in trayning him up in the way wherein he should go and pressing him with so much earnestnesse to get Wisdom and Understanding to know the God of his fathers and to serve him with a perfect heart and willing mind The sweet and happy effect whereof did soon shew itself in him for having scarce attained to his châ—â—â—ng time and being put to his choice to ask of the Lord what he would 1 Kin 3.9 he prefers Wisdom before Riches and Honour making that the sum of his petition The seemingly strange choice of Moses also Heb. 11.26 as soon as come to years of discretion speaks out no lesse the religious culture of his preceding age as doth also the faith of Timothy 2 Tim. 1.5 Fides quae ex avitae maternae que successionis institutione quasi haereditario jure descendit Espenâ— caeus in loc which was derived to him as an inheritance and as it were by way of succession from his eminently gracious Ancestors both proclaiming that descent from such Progenitors is no mean prerogative How much think we were the Catechized servants of Abraham affected with the mercy when they saw themselves included in the same Covenant and partakers of the sacred Seal and blessings of it with their believing Master How did they blesse the Lord that ever they came under his Roof and had so near relation unto such a one by whose means they came to be owned of the Lord and to injoy the singular priviledges of his people And is not the case the same of those that come under Confirmation having been prepared for it by the diligence of those to whose care they have been committed What cause have they to break forth into the praises of God being now so far admitted into his family Pla. 65.4 as that they may make the nearest approaches unto him and be satisfied with the fatnesse of his house even of his holy Temple Surely such have great cause to love and bless the Lord. 2. The serious proceeding made use of in Confirmation their publick personal inâ—â—â—ment then entred into and the sole 〈◊〉 laid upon them before the Church cannot â—â—at quicken and stir them up to utmost care and diligence so to demean themselves as that they may answer in their conversations the state they are brought into and the expectations of God and his people being a credit to the one and a joy to the other What a notable bridle may this prove to curb unruly lusts what a strong bar to fence the soul against temptations and what an effectual spur and incitement to duty yea to every good work when they shall consider as they frequently and upon all occasions should do that they have openly and voluntarily professed and vouchsafed themselves to be the Lords owned his Covenant and lifted up their hands to heaven promising fidelity and obedience to him and have been conjured by the Church to look unto it that they carry themselves in all things as becometh such to do lest otherwise they should bring dishonour to God be a grief to his people and a blemish to religion It would be a great aggravation of their sin if being under so sacred abond they should not withstanding it recede from the faith which they have professed or become profane and scandalous in their lives casting off the yoke of obedience to Christ which they have so solemnly promised The force and efficacy of such a course to keep persons if any thing will do it close to the Lord and their duty doth plainly appear from hence that it hath been practised and made use of by godly 〈◊〉 nours from time to time as the liklyest 〈◊〉 â—fect what they have earnestly desired â—â—â—emselves and their people viz. This way of solemn ingaging unto the Lord. This Moses brought the children of Israel to do to prevent their departing from the law of the Lord which he had given them who freely make this profession All the words say they Exod. 14.3 â— which the Lord hath said we will do and be obedient The like did his successour Joshua a little before his death who having exhorted the people to their duty and provoked them thereunto by his holy resolution concerning himself and his family drew from them this treble resolution We wil say they serve the Lord for he is our God Josh 24.18.21.24 Again nay but we will serve the Lord yet once more the Lord our God will we serve and his voice will we obey Whereof he took themselves to witness who said unto him We are witnesses Lavat in leal Quia libero